March 7, 2017^th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 65^th PHILIPPINE TRIP February 16-March 7, 2017

Dear brethren,                               

God’s good providence blessed my 65^th preaching trip to the Philippines with safety and success, after the first one with Jim McDonald in 1995. This trip concentrated on edifying and encouraging brethren in the provinces on Luzon still trying to recover from the typhoon devastation last October.  Benevolence sent earlier was greatly needed, but so is spiritual food.  Jesus reminded Satan, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).  If we have managed to lift the hearts and strengthen the faith of the saints, our time, efforts, and money have been well spent.

I brought many topics but immediately saw “Take Job as an Example” (Ja. 5:10-11) and “Rejoice in the Lord Always” (Phil. 4:4) were striking the right chord. For the first time in my life I preached the same sermons over and over.  I had asked Rody Gumpad to help me with schedule and travel logistics and we coordinated our preaching.  After my lessons, he summarized the main points in the dialect with some first principles, followed by an invitation.  I preached 34 times and 44 precious souls submitted to Christ in baptism.  I now appreciate Job more than ever before.  Like Job, the agony of the saints is prolonged as they wait for new crops to grow.

I arrived in Manila in the early morning hours of the 18^th because of weather delays in Japan. On Sunday morning I flew to Tuguegarao, Cagayan, had lunch with Rody and Tessie Gumpad, then traveled into the countryside to preach at the Maguirig congregation. The church building was full.  Monday found us at Cabarruguis, Quirino, with Willie Pastor where 123 attended.  Tuesday we met with the saints at the Bliss church in Ilagan City, Isabela, where Edgar Licodini preaches.  Wednesday morning we visited the Gobgob church served by Ben Vistro, and that afternoon Tagapan with Rolando Agpoon.

Our Thursday morning appointment was at the Piat church, Aquib Norte,  Cagayan with Dennis Yuson, and at Bauan with Robert Pader in the afternoon where their little church building was devastated.

We saw the typhoon’s destruction such as homes and church buildings damaged or destroyed. A large intact roof lifted from a house was left standing on its side against some trees.

February 24-25 was spent in northern Cagayan and in the Apayao Province.  Friday morning we were at Ballesteros, Cagayan with Fidelfin Miranda.  Efforts to reconstruct the church building are paralyzed now by lack of funds.  After lunch we headed to San Carlos, Apayao where Sammy Vargas labors.  Saturday morning we gathered with saints at Dubeng, Bidduang, Pamplona, Cagayan where Robinson Pulveras is an evangelist. That afternoon we preached at Sitio Pukel, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan where Negritos worship and Elpidio Tiene labors.  500 of these extremely poor natives had come down from the mountains and settled on unused land with the owner’s permission.  When he heard Americans visited the Negritos, he demanded an outlandish price to sell the land and drove them away when they could not pay it.  Our visit marked their last worship under their simple shelter with open sides and a tin roof because they were forced to dismantle it and leave.  125 attended and I taught the lesson on “Rejoice in the Lord Always.”  One was baptized in a nearby farm canal.

February 26-March 1 we were based at Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.  I spoke at four places with Mat Sibayan, Sr. on Sunday and Rody spoke at three others.  Monday was spent at Escoda, Marcos with Vic Domingo and at Elizabeth East.  We preached at Binacag, Banna with Efren Ramos where two were bpatized on Tuesday and at  Cabugao, Ilocos Sur with Egdon Sabio on Wednesday.

March 2-3 we were in the province of La Union and in Baguio City.  Thursday’s preaching was at Caba, La Union with Carlos Domingo in their unfinished building and at Rosario with Rodel Baagin.  Friday found us at Ambiong, Baguio City with Rosendo Gumpad and at Cypress with Joemark Bayado.

Sunday I worshipped at the Edsa-Pasay church with Rody Gumpad and Samuel Paet in the morning and after lunch at Paranaque with Jimmy Battung.  On Monday thanks to the help of many saints I bought 838 Bibles in various dialects to be shipped throughout the Philippines.

Tuesday I flew home filled with love and thanksgiving to God and all the saints who helped make this important trip possible.  Many Filipinos asked me to relay their deepest gratitude for benevolence sent over the past few months, as well as for this trip and the Bibles.  May God to bless their struggles to recover.

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com